Slideshows

A blacksmith in Fengyi's Jiangxi village 凤仪江西村 still makes farmtools by hand. In the village once most households were blacksmiths, today only a handful remain.

Followers of Jianchuan Azhali Buddhism perform a candle dance in Shaxi.

Zhang Ruilong 张瑞龙, 7th generation generation Jiama master, demonstrates the art of making "Jiama" 甲马, woodcut prints used in rituals.

On the eastern side of Erhai, in Zhangyu village 长育, is one of the most beautiful Wenchang temples, with work by painter-sculptor Li Yunyi 李云义.

The intricate cloth charms 布扎 made in Jianchuan are part of Yunnan's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Diannan 滇南 has a long tradition of making children's toys. They have been recognized as part of Yunnan's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

With the official programme curtailed, it is the unorganized folk part of the annual Singing Festival in Shibaoshan that continues to thrive.

Every year on the 23rd day of the 7th month, Gusheng village honours the Benzhu and the Dragon King 龙王.

Little charm animals, called 三羊开泰, are for sale in an embroidery shop in Weishan's historic centre.

Comical folk plays in the countryside, such as here in Jianchuan's Mijing village, often focus on agricultural themes, such as the stubborn draft animal.

The elaborate paper figures made for the Lantern Festival in Mizhi 密祉 are part of Yunnan's Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Since fishing has been banned on Erhai, fishing boats are rusting away on its shore.